WTAMU Plans Alumni Summer Reunion June 7-9

CANYON, Texas—The WT Alumni Association is going to shake things up this summer with an Alumni Summer Reunion right here on the WTAMU campus. There’s no need to wait for Homecoming – join us for some summer fun to reconnect and rediscover WT, June 7-9.

Whether you attended West Texas Normal School, West Texas State University, WTAMU or any of the others in between, you are invited to join in the fun as alumni young and old gather to reminisce about everything from dorm life and hanging out at the Sub to Greek Week and streaker sightings. It will be an activity-filled time with reunions, mixers, banquets and so much more. Out-of-towners can even enjoy a weekend of dorm life again with accommodations at Buff Hall, the University’s only suite-style dorm. Plus, the reunion will give all of our alumni a chance to reunite with old friends and plenty of time to make many more new ones.

“Many of our alumni can’t make it to Homecoming in the fall because of commitments related to their children’s activities or work,” Becky Stogner, executive director of the WT Alumni Association, said. “One of our alumni mentioned that he gets together each year with former fraternity brothers and said we should consider giving everyone the option of making WT their destination. The idea spread and the Summer Reunion was born. It’s going to be a great time to reconnect with friends and see how the campus has changed.”

Plans have been in the making for months, and the weekend agenda has a little bit of something for everyone. For those arriving early, there will be an opportunity to enjoy a Texas chuck wagon dinner and a performance of the outdoor musical TEXAS on Thursday, June 6 in Palo Duro Canyon. On Friday, there is the 10th Annual FORE County Golf Scramble at noon. Buff Courts Alumni Center will host an open house from noon to 6 p.m., and walking and shuttle tours of campus will be available throughout the afternoon. Then from 4-7 p.m. former athletes can share stories of their glory days at a tailgate hosted by the Buffalo Club at the Bain Athletic Center. Things really get rolling with an evening alumni mixer cocktail reception in the Jack B. Kelley Student Center, Legacy Hall and those involved in fraternities and sororities can reconnect from 9-11 p.m. at the all-Greek reunions. There also will be affinity group gatherings at various locations and a maroon block party is planned for 8 p.m.-midnight on the Pedestrian Mall.

Saturday’s events will kick off with an alumni breakfast and the introduction of the new national Alumni Association board of directors. A pitchfork fondue lunch will be served on Terrill Lawn, and the afternoon will offer opportunities to visit and reconnect with favorite professors in a variety of mini session offerings including a juried alumni art show in the Mary Moody Northen Hall, Formal Art Gallery. Buff Courts will host an open house, and campus tours will be available during the afternoon.

That evening, the coveted Distinguished Alumnus Award will be presented at the 50th annual Phoenix Banquet. A Phoenix Club cocktail reception begins at 6 p.m. and the banquet will be from 7-9 p.m. Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum will host a Night at the Museum from 9-11 p.m., and the day will close out with a late night movie on the lawn at Cornette Library.

The summer reunion will officially end on Sunday with a farewell send-off breakfast from 9-11 a.m. at the Alumni Banquet Facility. For those couples who met or married on campus, the noon Sweetheart Luncheon will be a highlight of the weekend.

That’s only a brief summary—there will be much more to see and do during the Summer Alumni Reunion. Mark your calendars now and plan to be a part of the fun. Visit wtamu.edu/reunion for more information.